Meet the Newly Appointed Nigeria U23 Assistant Coach, Deniran Ortega


Nigeria U23 Head Coach Eric Chelle has unveiled Deniran Ortega as one of his two new assistant coaches for the Olympic Eagles, as the team begins preparations for the upcoming U23 AFCON qualifiers and a push to return Nigeria to the Olympic Games.


The appointment, made directly by Chelle who doubles as Head Coach of the Super Eagles and the U23 side, is part of a deliberate effort to blend international best practices with deep local knowledge in the technical setup of the national U23 team.

Deniran Ortega hails from Lagos State and has steadily built a reputation as one of Nigeria’s brightest young coaching minds. Based in the United Kingdom, he brings a global outlook shaped by formal training and practical experience across different footballing environments.

He is a UEFA Licensed Coach and also holds several professional coaching qualifications from football bodies in Africa and Nigeria. That combination of European certification and African football understanding is expected to be a major asset as the U23 team looks to compete at the highest level.

Ortega’s coaching journey reflects versatility, discipline, and a clear commitment to player development.

Over the last decade, Ortega has worked in various capacities, both as Head Coach and Assistant Coach, in Nigeria and beyond.

His resume includes:
- *Head Coach, Fountain Gate FC – Tanzania*: Led the Tanzanian side and gained valuable experience managing in a different football culture in East Africa.
- *Head Coach, 1472 FC Lagos*: Guided one of Lagos’ ambitious grassroots-to-professional clubs, with focus on youth development and tactical structure.
- *Head Coach, Sporting Lagos FC*: Contributed to the growth of the club during its early NPFL years, known for its data-driven and modern approach to Nigerian football.
- *Assistant Coach, Enyimba FC*: Worked with one of Nigeria’s most decorated clubs, learning the demands of continental competition and high-pressure domestic football.
- *Head Coach, Warri Wolves FC*: Added NPFL experience in the South-South region and worked with seasoned professionals in the league.

Beyond club football, Ortega currently serves as the First Assistant Coach to the Head Coach of the Nigeria U20 team. That role has kept him firmly within the NFF youth pipeline and given him direct insight into the talents, challenges, and expectations of Nigeria’s next generation of players.

Coach Eric Chelle’s decision to bring Ortega on board is being viewed as strategic reasons:

Ortega’s UEFA training equips him with current approaches in sports science, tactical analysis, and player management that align with global standards.

His experience across the NPFL and Lagos football means he understands the Nigerian player — the mentality, the environment, and the pathway from grassroots to elite football.

His time in Tanzania gives him perspective on African football outside Nigeria, an important factor as the U23s prepare for qualifiers against different styles on the continent.

Ortega is expected to focus heavily on individual player development, tactical sessions, and scouting of young talents in both the NPFL and the diaspora who can strengthen the Olympic Eagles squad.

With the Olympic Games and U23 AFCON qualifiers on the horizon, the pressure will be on Chelle and his new technical team to deliver results and restore Nigeria to the Olympic football stage.

The addition of Ortega, alongside the other newly appointed assistant, signals Chelle’s intent to build a technical crew that is young, ambitious, and well-versed in both modern football and Nigerian realities.

Preparations for the U23 team are expected to ramp up in the coming weeks, with training camps and friendly matches likely to be announced soon by the NFF.

For Deniran Ortega, this appointment is both a recognition of years of hard work and a new national assignment with huge expectations.

Congratulations to Coach Deniran Ortega on his appointment as Assistant Coach of the Nigeria U23 Olympic Eagles.

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